Brorfelde Observatory
Astronomical observatory in Denmark
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brorfelde Observatory (Danish: Brorfelde Observatoriet; observatory code 054) is an astronomical observatory located in Brorfelde near Holbæk, Denmark. It is home to the Brorfelde Schmidt Telescope and was run as a branch of the Copenhagen University Observatory until 1996. It still has telescopes that are used by University of Copenhagen students, but the operating staff moved to the Rockefeller Complex in Copenhagen.[1]
 Brorfelde Observatory with the building housing the Schmidt telescope at right | |
| Named after | Brorfelde |
|---|---|
| Observatory code | 054 |
| Location | Holbæk Municipality, Region Zealand, Denmark |
| Coordinates | 55°37′29″N 11°39′53″E |
| Altitude | 60 m (200 ft) |
| Established | 1953 |
| Website | observatoriet |
| Telescopes |
|
  Location of Brorfelde Observatory | |
 | |
 Related media on Commons | |
Brorfelde Observatory and Brorfelde was a part of a Danish advent calendar running in 2012, and 2019 on DR1 - a Danish national TV channel.[citation needed]
Instruments
The 77-centimetre Schmidt telescope from 1966 at Brorfelde Observatory was originally equipped with photographic film.[2] An engineer is here showing the film-box, which was then placed behind the locker at the center of the telescope (at the telescope's prime focus).
Recognition
The Hungaria asteroid 3309 Brorfelde was discovered and named after the observatory, marking its inaugural minor planet discovery.[1] The naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 7 September 1987 (M.P.C. 12210).[3]
People related to the observatory
- Bengt Strömgren, Danish astronomer instrumental in founding it.
- Poul Jensen, Asteroid discoverer
- Karl Augustesen, Asteroid discoverer
Minor planets
| Minor planets discovered: more than 100 | |
|---|---|
| 3033 Holbaek | March 5, 1984 |
| 3309 Brorfelde | January 28, 1982 |
| 3312 Pedersen | September 24, 1984 |
| 3369 Freuchen | October 18, 1985 |
| 5165 Videnom | February 11, 1985 |
| 5427 Jensmartin | May 13, 1986 |
| (7743) 1986 JA | May 2, 1986 |
| 8261 Ceciliejulie | September 11, 1985 |
| 9555 Frejakocha | April 2, 1986 |
| (8338) 1985 FE3 | March 27, 1985 |
| (22282) 1985 RA | September 11, 1985 |
| (24642) 1984 SA | September 22, 1984 |
